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Volume 8, Issue 64 (Wednesday, June 27th)
LIMITED TIME OFFERS Order "*FanDraft - Fantasy Football Draft Board*" software by July 1st, andyou can save $5.00! Coupon Code: *528F6*Hi Folks, Good Thursday to you. Hope the week's rolling well. We're rocking along here. I've got the News and Notes you need but first let's do the Quote Of The Day: "He kinda has more fun. You see him smiling more than Coach Cowher did. Cowher had the reputation of being the chin, the frown, the scary guy all the time." -- Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger on the differences between new coach Mike Tomlin and his former coach, Bill Cowher.INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. CIN - Bengals Sign TE Blizzard2. DET - WR Furrey Joins Kitna In 10 Game Win Prediction 3. MIN - RB Peterson Running With A 'Chip' On His Shoulder 4. TEN - Titans To Further Involve FB Hall 5. League To Reportedly Shut Down NFL Europa 6. DAL - Cowboys PK Gramatica Still Favorite To Win Job 7. DEF - NE - Patriots SS Harrison Looking Good 8. DEF - NE - Patriots CB Samuel Stock Dropping? 9. DEF - Dolphins DT Evans Was On Probation CIN - Bengals Sign TE Blizzard Source: Bengals.com The Cincinnati Bengals signed tight end Bobby Blizzard on Wednesday to a one-year contract. Blizzard played for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europa this year. He also has spent time with Baltimore and Arizona. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Bengals feature a high powered offense but the wide receivers run this show. Reggie Kelley is the starter but we're not expecting much out of him. To see how we project the entire team, click here DET - WR Furrey Joins Kitna In 10 Game Win Prediction Source: Nicholas J. Cotsonika, Detroit Free Press Quarterback Jon Kitna has drawn a lot of attention lately for saying he thinks the Lions will win more than 10 games this season. But he isn't the only one with great expectations. Said WR Mike Furrey, "Right now, on paper, we look like we should win 10 to 12 games, easily. We're seeing what we have, and we have guys in there now that believe in Marinelli. They believe in what we can do. And if you ask every one of us, we expect to win 10 games."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I know it's fun to laugh at Kitna and Furrey here but I'm thinking you'd do well to not dismiss a guy like Mike Furrey. From walking on at Ohio State to the XFL to the Arena League to being cut by the Colts, Furrey's a guy that has made a career out of doing things "experts" said he couldn't do. I'm not ready to say they'll win 10 games, but I like their confidence and I very much like what I'm seeing from Detroit. Our Footballguys Message Boards have over 23,000 registered users participating in a "flame free" moderated forum. Check out the discussion of this topic by clicking hereMIN - RB Peterson Running With A 'Chip' On His Shoulder Source: Rich Eisen, NFL Network NFL Network's Rich Eisen interviewed Minnesota rookie RB Adrian Peterson at the rookie symposium and asked him if his draft day slide was going to be motivation for him. Eisen: "Is that going to be a chip? Is that going to be a chip on your shoulder with you running the football?" Peterson: (smiling) "Yeah. It's going to be a little chip. I'm excited. I couldn't have landed in a better place than the Vikings. I'm excited. I'm just getting things ready to go with the Vikings."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] I like it. I like a player with a little extra motivation to prove himself. The big question for Peterson of course will be how the team splits the rushing load between the rookie and RB Chester Taylor. To see how we project the entire team, click hereTEN - Titans To Further Involve FB Hall Source: Jim Wyatt, Nashville Tennessean, Sporting News The Titans are seeking ways to get FB Ahmard Hall more involved in the offense. Already a solid blocker, Hall also has good hands and could contribute more out of the backfield as an outlet receiver. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] When WR Brandon Jones is your best receiver, it seems to me that the Titans are being smart in trying to get anyone involved in the passing game that can catch. I like Vince Young but I'm starting to get pretty worried about the guys around him. League To Reportedly Shut Down NFL Europa Source: Jason Cole, Yahoo Sports According to two sources, the NFL will close the doors on NFL Europa due to continued financial losses in trying to keep the operation running. It will take an estimated hit of $32 million this season alone. The overseas league is responsible for developing such players as Kurt Warner, La'Roi Glover and Jake Delhomme as well as NFL officials. "When you put it in a business perspective, it's hard to argue with what the owners are saying," a league executive said. "As a personnel and development guy, you're always looking for ways to develop players. But that's a lot of money right now for maybe two guys who are going to play special teams for you." "It's become more and more like a full-time job during the season, if you want to do it right, but there's still no substitute for game experience," Parry said. "It's just like the players. You can watch film for hours, but it's a whole different thing on the field."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Not a lot of fantasy information here but I know some of you guys followed NFL Europa. Stay tuned for what might come next here. The league has a vested interest in developing players and it'll be interesting to see how they do this now if they do indeed fold up the league. DAL - Cowboys PK Gramatica Still Favorite To Win Job Source: Jean-Jacques Taylor, Dallas Morning News Dallas Cowboys placekicker Martin Gramatica is still considered to be the clear favorite to win the starting placekicking job with the team in 2007. Rookie free agent Nick Folk will also compete for the starting role in Training Camp. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Nick Folk certainly will have his chance to battle for the job but Gramatica's experience should help him edge out the rookie. To see how we see all the kickers, click here DEF - NE - Patriots SS Harrison Looking Good Source: John Tomase, Boston Herald, Sporting News New England SS Rodney Harrison appeared to have no ill effects from a laundry list of minor ailments from 13 grueling seasons. Harrison has missed 19 games over the last two seasons. He was running at full speed during the team's minicamp without reporting any problems. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Harrison obviously brings a physical presence to the Patriots but don't underestimate his impact in the locker room as well. He's a savvy veteran and will help the team in multiple areas. Much has been made of the Patriot's offensive additions but don't forget about the defense here. DEF - NE - Patriots CB Samuel Stock Dropping? Source: Christopher L. Gasper, Boston Globe While New England Patriots CB Asante Samuel continues to draw the line in the sand regarding a contract extension, asking for 49ers CB Nate Clements kind of money, the Bears signed CB Nathan Vasher to a five-year, $28 million extension which could hurt Samuel's value. Vasher has the same number of interceptions as Samuel but has one less year of experience and Vasher has been selected to a pro-bowl while Samuel has not. Samuel has yet to sign his one-year $7.79 million franchise tender. When pressed for specifics on what it would take for New England to get Samuel's imprimatur on a long-term deal, Shavers wouldn't do the numbers dance. "The Patriots know what we're asking for," said Shavers. "It's not a secret."[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] When it comes to negotiating positions like this, relative market value and how a player compares to other similar players is a big factor. While Samuel was wanting Nate Clements type money, Vasher's deal was much more in line with what Dre' Bly signed for in Denver. DEF - Dolphins DT Evans Was On Probation Source: Len Pasquarelli, ESPN Miami Dolphins DT Fred Evans, who was arrested last weekend for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, battery of a police officer and trespassing, was already on probation from an earlier arrest in Texas for marijuana possession charges. On June 6 Evans received a one-year sentence in a diversionary program after pleading no contest to a Feb. 10 arrest. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ OUR VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Four words it's usually best if you don't hear them together: "Tasered" and "Already On Probation"... That'll do it for today, Folks. Have a great Thursday and we'll see you tomorrow with the update. J |
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